Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S vs Pirelli P Zero PZ4

In this article we will be looking at independent tire test data, and real world driver reviews of the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S and the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 to find out which tire is best for your own driving.

The good news is that both the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S and Pirelli P Zero PZ4 are Max Performance Summer tires designed to be fitted to Passenger Cars, which means comparing the two tires is relatively simple.

Both tires are hugely popular in the market place with drivers, and both have been featured in independent tire tests.

In This Article
Introduction Test Results Driver Reviews Conclusion
Pilot-Sport-4-S VS P-Zero-PZ4

Test Results

Independent comparison tire tests are the best source of data to get tire information from, and the good news is there have been six tests which compare both tires directly!

Out of these six tests:

  • Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S finished ahead of the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 in six of the tests

While it might look like the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S is better than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 purely based on the higher number of test wins, tires are very complicated objects which means where one tire is better than the other can be more important in real world use.

Let's look at how the two tires compare across multiple tire test categories.

Dry Braking

Looking at data from six tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during six dry braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S stopped the vehicle in 1.42% less distance than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
31.88M
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
32.34M
Dry braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Dry Braking: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

2017 Car and Driver UHP Tire Test
245/40 R18		 ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:24M Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 24.4M
2020 EVO UHP Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:33.6M Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 34.1M
2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:33.5M Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 34.5M
2021 Tire Reviews UHP Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:33.18M Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 33.34M
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:33.9M Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 34.1M
2024 EVO Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:33.1M Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 33.6M

Dry Handling [s]

Looking at data from four tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during three dry handling [s] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was 0.46% faster around a lap than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
69.32s
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
69.64s
Dry handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Dry Handling [s]: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

2017 Car and Driver UHP Tire Test
245/40 R18		 ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:29.5s Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 30s
2020 EVO UHP Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:52.15s Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 52.15s
2021 Tire Reviews UHP Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:94.42s Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 95.17s
2024 EVO Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:101.21s Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 101.23s

Dry Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during one dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was 0.14% faster around a lap than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
109.5Km/H
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
109.65Km/H
Dry Handling Average Speed, higher is better

Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:118.4Km/H ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 118.8Km/H
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:100.6Km/H Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 100.5Km/H

Subj. Dry Handling

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during two subj. dry handling tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S scored 7% more points than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
60.75 Points
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
56.5 Points
Subjective Dry Handling Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

2020 EVO UHP Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:63 Points Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 57 Points
2024 EVO Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:58.5 Points Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 56 Points

Wet Braking

Looking at data from six tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during five wet braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S stopped the vehicle in 5.72% less distance than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
32.29M
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
34.25M
Wet braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Wet Braking: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

2017 Car and Driver UHP Tire Test
245/40 R18		 ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:30.8M Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 33.2M
2020 EVO UHP Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:26M Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 28.7M
2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:45.5M Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 48.6M
2021 Tire Reviews UHP Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18		 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:35.52M ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 34.29M
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:24.5M Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 26.6M
2024 EVO Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:31.4M Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 34.1M

Wet Handling [s]

Looking at data from four tire tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during three wet handling [s] tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was 0.47% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
53.35s
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
53.1s
Wet handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Wet Handling [s]: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

2017 Car and Driver UHP Tire Test
245/40 R18		 ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:32.2s Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 33.2s
2020 EVO UHP Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:46.8s ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 46s
2021 Tire Reviews UHP Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18		 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:65.23s ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 64.84s
2024 EVO Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:69.17s ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 68.36s

Wet Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during zero wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was 3.23% faster around a wet lap than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
79.3Km/H
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
81.95Km/H
Wet Handling Average Speed, higher is better

Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:74Km/H ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 77.2Km/H
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test
225/40 R18		 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:84.6Km/H ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 86.7Km/H

Subj. Wet Handling

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during zero subj. wet handling tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S scored 6.67% more points than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
56 Points
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
60 Points
Subjective Wet Handling Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

2020 EVO UHP Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:54.5 Points ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 62 Points
2024 EVO Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:57.5 Points ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 58 Points

Wet Circle

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during zero wet circle tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S had 1.28% higher lateral wet grip than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
8.46m/s
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
8.57m/s
Lateral wet grip in m/s squared, higher is better

Best In Wet Circle: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test
225/40 R18		 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:8.46m/s ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 8.57m/s

Straight Aqua

Looking at data from five tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during four straight aqua tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S floated at a 2.52% higher speed than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
75.06Km/H
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
73.17Km/H
Float Speed in Km/H, higher is better

Best In Straight Aqua: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

2020 EVO UHP Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:72Km/H ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 72.2Km/H
2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:73.6Km/H Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 71.6Km/H
2021 Tire Reviews UHP Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:78.5Km/H Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 72.3Km/H
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:80.6Km/H Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 79.9Km/H
2024 EVO Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:70.61Km/H Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 69.85Km/H

Curved Aquaplaning

Looking at data from four tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during two curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S slipped out at a 2.17% higher speed than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
18.49m/sec2
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
18.9m/sec2
Remaining lateral acceleration, higher is better

Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:2.34m/sec2 ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 2.43m/sec2
2021 Tire Reviews UHP Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:2.18m/sec2 Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 2m/sec2
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:3.63m/sec2 Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 3.4m/sec2
2024 EVO Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:65.82m/sec2 ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 67.78m/sec2

Subj. Comfort

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
25 Points
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
22.5 Points
Subjective Comfort Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Comfort: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

Subj. Noise

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during one subj. noise tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S scored 2.08% more points than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
24 Points
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
23.5 Points
Subjective in car noise levels, higher is better

Best In Subj. Noise: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

2024 EVO Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:24 Points Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 23.5 Points

Noise

Looking at data from four tire tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during three noise tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 measured 1.57% quieter than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
71.4dB
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
70.28dB
External noise in dB, lower is better

Best In Noise: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

2017 Car and Driver UHP Tire Test
245/40 R18		 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:69dB ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 67dB
2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:72.3dB Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 72.5dB
2021 Tire Reviews UHP Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18		 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:72.2dB ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 70.5dB
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test
225/40 R18		 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:72.1dB ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 71.1dB

Price

Looking at data from four tire tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during four price tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 cost 20.85% less than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
284.63
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
225.28
Price in local currency, lower is better

Best In Price: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

2020 EVO UHP Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:142 ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 124
2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:720 ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 585
2021 Tire Reviews UHP Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18		 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:95.5 ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 81.1
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test
225/40 R18		 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:181 ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 111

Rolling Resistance

Looking at data from five tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during three rolling resistance tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S had a 4.21% lower rolling resistance than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
7.5kg / t
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
7.83kg / t
Rolling resistance in kg t, lower is better

Best In Rolling Resistance: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

2020 EVO UHP Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:0.873kg / t Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 1.017kg / t
2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:8.87kg / t Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 9.9kg / t
2021 Tire Reviews UHP Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18		 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:9.67kg / t ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 9.44kg / t
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test
225/40 R18		 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:9.6kg / t Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 9.6kg / t
2024 EVO Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:8.5kg / t Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 9.17kg / t

Real World Driver Reviews

Tire Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S and Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

In total the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S has been reviewed 138 times and drivers have given the tire 86% overall.

The Pirelli P Zero PZ4 has been reviewed 67 times and drivers have given the tire 76% overall.

This means in real world driving, people prefer the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Best Review for the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
Given 100% 275/35 R19 on a combination of roads for 1,000 spirited miles
Replaced the Pilot Super Sports on my F80 M3 and it's better in every way. The wet grip is insane, it's like you're driving in the dry. Best tire on the market.
Helpful 602 - tire reviewed on March 9, 2017
View all Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S driver reviews >>
Best Review for the Pirelli P Zero PZ4
225/40 R18 W on for 0 miles
Really good !
Replace very very good Yokohama V105 one year old.
To try them out.
First-class comfort (top) + rolling silence
A little above the Yoko on the dry,
In the rain, they are incredible ! Well above all that I have tried :
Dunlop RT, PS3, Yoko V105, Hankook V12 K110.
No idea about wear again ... The +:
- Braking (this is a big highlight)
- Motricity
- Handling
They are equipped with protections of the rims although the option is not specified (in France).
The sides are stiffer than the PS3 for... Continue reading this review using the link below
Helpful 281 - tire reviewed on June 27, 2017
View all Pirelli P Zero PZ4 driver reviews >>

Conclusion

In conclusion the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S performed better in dry braking, dry handling [s], subj. dry handling, wet braking, straight aqua, subj. noise and rolling resistance, while the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 performed better in dry handling [km/h], wet handling [s], wet handling [km/h], subj. wet handling, wet circle, curved aquaplaning, noise and price.

Which tire is best for you depends a lot on your driving style and situation, plus what you want from the tire. Comparing all the data in the tire reviews database, on balance Pirelli P Zero PZ4 seems to be the best tire overall.

However, it's important to note that both tires have their strengths.

Remember, the best tire for you might depend on which of these factors are most important for your specific driving needs and conditions.

Overall Winner: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

Overall Winner: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

Footnote

This page has been developed using tire industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tires in the same test.

Why is this important? Tire testing is heavily affected by things like surface grip levels and surface temperature, which means you can only compare values from the same day. During a tire test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tire tests performed on different days or at different locations.

As a result you will see other tests on Tire Reviews which feature both the %s and %s, but as they weren't conducted on the same day, the results are not comparable.

Lots of other websites do this sort of tire comparison, Tire Reviews doesn't.